Fort Lauderdale International Airport reports busiest June traffic in 2012

US' Fort Lauderdale International Airport reported (14-Aug-2012) a 1.9% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers to 1.9 million in Jun-2012, its busiest June on record and surpassing its Jun-2008 record by close to 10,000 passengers. Domestic passenger numbers increased 1.9% to 1.6 million and international passenger numbers increased 1.7% to 279,550. Aircraft movements increased 0.1% to 20,889. According to the airport, JetBlue (+21.7%), AirTran (+19.6) and Delta (+8.3) all reported passenger growth while American Airlines (-11.8%), Spirit Airlines (-9.7%), Southwest (-2.6) and Continental Airlines (-0.4%) reported declines. The airport expects traffic for 3Q2012 and 4Q2012 to begin showing slight improvements. [more - original PR]

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In theory, the DoT’s proposed route structure ensures that customers travelling to Havana have access to a wider range of fare prices and product offerings. In many respects the agency had little choice but to accommodate as many airlines as possible for service to Havana – in order to ensure that consumers had an array of service providers as scheduled air service resumes between the US and Cuba.

There may be some quibbles regarding the tentative route awards to Havana, but the route composition proposed by the DoT is not likely to change drastically. The agency’s route dispersal reflects certain expectations that the agency would institute a certain level of competitive diversity on new services to Havana.

(This is Part 1 in a series examining US-Cuba route awards. Part 2 will examine markets other than Havana)

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The shift that Air NZ envisages is being sought now – and not five or even 10 years earlier – largely because of external factors and competition. Air NZ's marketing may suggest an opportunistic push, but the reality is Air NZ is on the defensive. In the Australia-Americas market competitors have lowered their costs, adding city pairs, product improvements and significant capacity growth. 2017 and 2018 are expected to mean even more growth as a resurgent Qantas adds 787-9 services between Australia and the US, and in particular – to Dallas.